Bear Notch Road from Attitash, 9:00 am

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Wednesday, 4:00 pm update:

I rode River Road, Passaconaway Road and the Kanc to Lower Falls this afternoon. All are open and clear - a few sandy spots and a few small sticks here and there. A Forest Service Ranger at Lower Falls told me that Bear Notch Road is now open, and the Kanc is open from Conway Village up to Bear Notch Road.

The plan as described below is still on, as the roads are eerily quiet since most folks haven't found out about the openings as of yet. So although the roads are open, the traffic will be very light.

Here is one more alternative to add to the list of ride alternatives below: The Bear Notch Loop.


Hurricane Irene has changed the course of rivers, washed away houses and camps, eroded roadsides and pavement and collapsed bridges. I hope all of you, ThursdayBikers and your friends, are dry and OK. Because of the road damage and closures, I am keeping the ride local on roads that I have heard are clear.

Due to the closure of the Kanc and Route 302 west of Bartlett, there are no cars on Bear Notch Road. Riders who did it on Tuesday said it was excellent without any cars and it is free of debris. Let's go enjoy this too! This is one of the easiest "Notches" and it has 3 scenic viewpoints (rest stops) conveniently located on the way up.

Ready to Ride at the Attitash parking lot at 9:00 am. Park at the west side of the lot in the shade of the trees.

Various distances are possible. Groups can choose their course:

From Attitash to the top of Bear Notch and back: about 15 miles

From Attitash, over Bear Notch to the Kanc and back about 23 miles

From the Bear Notch/Kanc intersection it may be possible to ride the Kanc (I am not sure whether it is closed from this point). If open we could go to the Sugar Hill scenic vista (34 miles round trip) or Lily Pond (37 miles round trip)

For the shortest, flattest ride, go from Attitash up to the road closure on Route 302 at Hart's Location (~10 miles).